Panasonic extends its compact camera lineup with five new models

Panasonic have just introduced five new additions to their compact digicam portfolio. The GPS-enabled TZ10 (or ZS7 in the US) and the TZ8 (ZS5) are the most interesting of the bunch but we also have the rugged FT2 and the budget-minded ZX3 and FX66.

Panasonic TZ10 and Panasonic TZ8

The flagships Panasonic TZ10 and TZ8 are near identical with their 12x zoom (25 – 300mm in 35mm equiv.) LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens and 1/2.33” 12 megapixel sensors. They both sport Panasonic’s Power O.I.S lens-shift stabilization and record 720p video at 30 fps. The only differences are the built-in GPS receiver of the TZ10 and its larger higher-resolution display (3” 460k dots vs 2.7” 230k dots).

Panasonic FT2 might be the camera you want to have on you the next time you go rock climbing. Its dustproof body can withstand a drop from up to 2 meters and survive underwater to up to 10m depth. As a small bonus the 14 megapixel camera with 28-128mm equivalent lens offers cold resistance down to -10°C.

Panasonic FT2

Panasonic ZX3 and FX66 are both built around the same 14 megapixel 1/2.33” CCD sensor and sport 25mm wide-angle lens. The zoom of the ZX3 stretches to 200mm, while the FX66 only goes to 125mm in 35mm equivalent. The two most affordable cameras of the bunch also sport identical 2.7” 230k dots displays.